Hakeem Olajuwon - 40 pts vs. Jazz (G4 - 1995 playoffs) 

That move at 2:48 is so nuts. Goes against two defenders and creates a wide open layup. Marvelous.

Olajuwon is without a doubt one of the top 3 greatest centers in the history of the league. He is the only player to win the regular season mvp, finals mvp, and defensive player of the year award in the same season. He outplayed Patrick Ewing in the finals, and the Rockets won the championship. The season after that, he embarrassed the current MVP (David Robinson) in the playoffs, helping Houston knock out the favored Spurs in 6 games. He then outplayed Shaq in the finals, as the Rockets swept the Magic. Olajuwon was the best center in the league, in an era filled with dominant centers. Hakeem retired in the top 10 in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals. He is the only center in league history to be anywhere in the top 20 in steals, and he is #8 on the all-time list, right behind Clyde Drexler. Hakeem is #1 on the all-time blocked shots list. It's open to debate as to whether he or Bill Russell is the best defensive center ever. He had the best offensive post game of any center in league history. The Dream also had a great 15-20 foot jumper, and even a decent crossover dribble. His fadeaway was completely unstoppable. No big man in league history was as complete a player as Olajuwon. I'll take a lineup with Olajuwon, Duncan, Pippen, Jordan, and Magic over any.

That split on the double team off the up and under has to be one of the sickest moves Ive seen from a big

That 1995 HOU Playoff run was one of the best ever. They were always the underdog in each round, 2 series went to the final game

the BEST center ever!!!!!!

Hakeem Olajuwon is in the top ten in points, steals, and blocks (all time leader in blocks) and 13th in rebounds. To the guy saying Hakeem doesn't play defense, I'm very much questioning how well you know basketball if you honestly think that's true. Not only was he a world class defender, but I'm almost certain (not completely, though) that he is one of the only players to be top ten in 3 of the 5 major star categories

Most Skilled Center in the history of the NBA.

Olajuwon was one of the few players who got better in his 30's and had his best years in his early 30's. Developed that nice mid range jumper to compliment his post moves.

Bwahahaha, Hakeem was a beast , he can guard all positions. Bulls had a losing a record against the Rockets when they played head to head with Jordan on the team.

That move in slow mo at 3:22 ! Ga damn that's smoove! And DR34M is a legit center! GOAT defensively also btw

I was there! I guess I was 12 or so, great memories!

Greatest player in nba history other than Jordan

0:33 Defense shading totally on his right hand. Daring him to go left? Hakeem obliges. 2:47 Is he a center or a guard? Maybe both? 4:17 Takes 'em off the dribble, from the damn 3-point line. Best footwork from a big man - Ever! From 4:43 to the end. Let's give Drexler some IT'S SCARY TO IMAGINE IF OLAJUWON HAD PLAYED HIS ENTIRE CAREER WITH ANOTHER SUPERSTAR LIKE DREXLER IN HIS PRIME.

goddamn that last move by drexler was badass. crossover and dunk. olajuwon and drexler: two incredibly underrated players

Most skilled center in the post ever

That move at 2:49 brought a tear to my eye, so beautiful.

Loved watching these Rockets 🚀 teams. Dream was unstoppable when he was in his game.

What sort of bamboozelement is that 2:50 Oh my goodness gracious

nice finish by clyde at 550

Commentator:"Look at that move! Is that pretty?" Me (captivated decades later):"Yes. Yes, it is!"

Best center ever !

Poor Hakeem....he was a 6'0" point guard, trapped in a 6'10" body. He was so freaking fast for a big guy.....on second thought, he was just fast, big or small....

Right on. A big man who played like a guard, had footwork like MJ's. Actually I like Olajowon's post moves as much as Jordan's. All the ex pro's say he was unguardable.

80s and 90s are absolutely the golden age of nba. look at the skill and consistency of this guy right here. he would totally dominate the game in nba nowadays .

Thanks so much! I love all of your vids! Hakeem was unstoppable. How about a Kevin Mchale highlight?

There is no way Dwight's gonna learn these, he's far too limited. Hakeem's game was pure magic.

olajuwon was just everything you could want in a player. if it was like a video game and you had skill points to put into skills and you put them all in perfectly he is what you would have come out with. he had all the moves. he was tall, but could move like a smaller player. he could play defense, he was killer on offense, and he could play support. he was just so well rounded.

Look at the bench after that 2:49 move.

love the commentator's. One being the late and great Chuck Daly!

this guy was a center and probably the most dominant center in history in the paint yet he still could shot and take defenders off dribble and use some fake moves. What a legend

Damn I'm good.

Hakeem the Dream.

Mr Unstoppable in the 1995 NBA Playoffs, the absolute best Center of the 1990s.

Olajuwan AMAZING!!!

DREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!

What other center in the history of the NBA could start dribbling (crossover in some cases) and hit 18 foot jump shots like a guard? The most skilled center to EVER play this game, the Dream.

@NeuMasterful I agree. It's upsetting to me that there's almost no footage of McHale's points in a game. :(

Drexler had 40 in this game, as well, I believe..

2:49 DAMN never seen any other center do that

wow,olajuwon and drexler tearing it up

Olajuwon on loistava pelaaja!

He opened up the game with a freeze hang dribble from 18 😂😂😂 TOP 5

I remember I couldn't watch this game cause the Rockets would make Houston fans order PPV for home playoff games. Anyone else remember that?

5:45 personal replay button for clyde the glide ownage.

What a center olajuwon was Smh

clyde was ballin'

at 2:49 I never seen any center do that

The best offensive player all time

The move at 2:50! WOW!

pay attention to how good Horry is at that entry pass.

Tell me another center in nba history that can do the move at 2:48

As a bulls faithful the guy suggesting Hakeem had no defense sickens me, he isn't the all time NBA blocks leader for no reason, kids honestly learn a few stats before you open your mouth.

The best

Yao Ming would have been GREAT if he had an entry passer like Horry.

@fatal9ish Thanks a bunch!

How old was Hakeem again when he started playing ball? And, I think this guy is self-taught. Those moves are unteachable.

@2:48 Yes Greatness!!

So this is why Kenny Smith shits on Stockton on Inside the NBA... Stockton kept leaving him to double Olajuwon and he still feels disrespected.

muy bueno

Sam Donaldson thinking get me out of here coach

holy shit

5:47 i just pooped in my brain.

No kidding. No-one has.

whats an entry pass?

I don't know how it got its name but its a pass from around the arch, in or out, to a player posted up against a defender at the low post. It sounds simple but its not. An offenisive player has to work hard against a good defender to get them posted just right and the ball has to be delivered to them quick and in the right spot. The person defending the ball handler is also defending his attempt to make that pass. That's why you see horry making head fakes just to get the pass off.

dont ever compare The Dream to another player.

Is thatJim Nance!?

Clydec and dream clyde gets no respect

And youngsters think big men suppose to be shooting 3s like the small guys 😆!!!

Karl Malone wanted no part of this

@NeuMasterful soon

Clyde had 40 too!!!!!

Really? Never seen Dirk play huh?

olajuwon and glyde underatted?

clyde with 40

! olajuwon at 2:49

Normal move for The Dream. =)

He wasn't self taught though. I think Moses Malone taught him a few tricks

His skills suck what good is skills but no defense he couldn't win against the bulls in 96 through 98

I saw some kid compare howard to The dream saying the former is better.

Best center ever!